UNP MP Harin Fernando today said that the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka this year, “is like a wedding without the bride.”
Buckingham Palace announced this week that the Queen will not be attending the summit in November, for the first time since 1973, and will be represented by the Prince of Wales.
The 87-year-old monarch’s decision to stay away is part of a gradual move to cut down her long-distance foreign trips, according to reports.
Fernando stated that he had previously proclaimed the Queen would not be part of the summit but the Deputy Speaker had rejected it and that what he had said then has now been proven true.
Speaking at a press briefing in Colombo today, the parliamentarian further said that instead of the ruling party’s “Rata Nagana Nil Rella” programme, the United National Party is prepared to launch a “rebellion” to widen its member base.
Condemning the arrest of former CMC member Azath Salley’s arrest as “unjust,” MP Harin Fernando said he too can be arrested for declaring they will start a “rebellion”.
He charged that while those accused of murder and rape in Tangalle, Akuressa and Kahawatta are roaming free, persons having democratically voicing opposing opinions are being arrested and locked up.
